Ermes Effron Borgnino was born on January 24, 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut. In recent decades he's been one of America's finest over-actors, but long ago Ernest Borgnine was the real deal. He was Fatso in “From Here to Eternity” (1953), got beaten up by Spencer Tracy in “Bad Day at Black Rock”, and won his Oscar for playing the sensitive butcher in “Marty” (both 1955). Borgnine is best known as Lt. Cdr. Quinton McHale on TV's “McHale's Navy” and two 1960s movies spawned from the sitcom (“McHale's Navy” and “McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force”). He was also the voice of "Mermaid Man" on TV's “SpongeBob SquarePants”, ‘Carface’ in “All Dogs Go to Heaven II”, and the first "center square" on Hollywood Squares when the game show first debuted in 1966. He was married to Katy Jurado [1924-2002] (1959-1963) and Ethel Merman [1908-1984] (1964-1964) and presently Tova Traesnaes [1941- ] (1973- ). Borgnine appeared in five Euro-westerns including “A Bullet for Sandoval” (1969) and “Hannie Caulder” (1970). Today we celebrate Ernest Borgnine’s 95th birthday.
Happy Birthday, Ernie! I saw your film, "The Wild Bunch" from 1969. I loved your performance in "Spongebob Squarepants". What's surprising is that Tim Conway played Barnacle Boy. But I did love "The Wild Bunch." Liked the dramatic death in that one. You and William Holden were giving the public what they wanted. It was like you were saying, "This is a free country so let me live!" Happy Birthday, Ernie!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ernest! I am a big fan. You are our childhood hero from Airwolf - Dom Santini! Wish you health and lasting life!
ReplyDeleteHPB!
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